DFS Investigates Neglect

Casper, Wy – The Wyoming Department of Family Servicessays it's investigating possible neglect at a juvenile detentionfacility in Casper. The department says it's looking into a claim that a staffmember knew about but didn't report a boy-on-boy assault. Inanother case, a staff member allegedly saw but didn't report agroup of boys who were gathered around two naked boys and whoscattered when staff showed up. Department spokeswoman Juliette Rule says the departmentbelieves the cases reflect inadequate staffing and staff trainingat the Regional Juvenile Detention Center. The privately run facility is the same building as the NatronaCounty Sheriff's Office and has been run by Cheyenne-based FrontierCorrectional Systems, Inc. FCS Chief Executive Officer John Harrison did not return phonemessages. Operation of the facility is being transferred to a Coloradocompany, but Rule says the allegations predate the start of thattakeover.